Updated May 1, 2015

Federal regulations are for Federal waters only (Generally 3-200 miles off shore from Maine to Virginia) except for bluefin tuna and shortnose sturgeon which have Federal regulations that apply in both state and Federal waters. Also, party/charter boat vessels holding Federal permits may need to abide by stricter Federal regulations when fishing in state waters. See the Federal New England and Mid-Atlantic recreational compliance guides for more information. Recreational anglers or divers, once entering with and/or landing their catch in state waters, must also abide by state regulations. State regulations can be obtained through individual state marine fisheries agencies. Click here for links to Atlantic coast state marine fisheries agencies.

Federal coast-wide regulations are put in place each year for black sea bass. States or groups of states implement individual measures through ASMFC. Vessels with a Federal permit are subject to the more restrictive measures (See Bulletin).

Federal coast-wide regulations are put in place each year for scup. States or groups of states implement individual measures through ASMFC. Vessels with a Federal permit are subject to the more restrictive measures (See Bulletin).

Charter/partyboats with a Federal commercial permit retaining fish for sale must fish under commercial day at sea rules. A 3,000 lb limit is in effect during commercial season. No fish can be retained for sale or bait during closed commercial season.

5) The 17inch minimum fish size applies to the whole fish (total length) and, if tails only are landed, they must be at least 11 inches in length (tail length) at the time of landing. Fish or parts of fish, with the exception of cheeks and livers, must have skin on while possessed on board a vessel and at the time of landing in order to meet minimum size requirements. "Skin on" means the entire portion of the skin normally attached to the portion of the fish or fish parts possessed. Monkfish tails are measured from the anterior portion of the fourth cephalic dorsal spine to the end of the caudal fin. Any tissue anterior to the fourth dorsal spine is ignored. If the fourth dorsal spine or the tail is not intact, the minimum size is measured between the most anterior vertebra and the most posterior portion of the tail.

6) Species of concern: those species about which NMFS has some concerns regarding status and threats, but for which insufficient information is available to indicate a need to list the species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We wish to draw proactive attention and conservation action to these species. "Species of concern" status does not carry any procedural or substantive protections under the ESA. More info can be found by clicking the species name here.

8) How to measure finfish: The minimum size for fish (exceptions listed below) is the greatest straight line length (not curved over the body) from the anterior tip of the jaw or snout (mouth closed) to the farthest extremity of the tail. Fish should be firmly grasped with both hands for proper measuring. Care should be taken so that the head firmly contacts the zero mark on rulers and tapes simultaneously with the tail extremity. For fish with forked tails, the upper and lower fork may be squeezed together to measure the tail extremity.

Black sea bass if the tail filament (tendril) is present, it is not included in the total length measurement.

Billfish (swordfish, sailfish, marlin) are measured from the tip of the lower jaw to the tail fork.

Sharks are measured from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail. Tunas measurement is taken in a line, tracing the contour of the body from the tip of the upper jaw to the fork of the tail, which crosses the dorsal insertion of the pectoral fin and the dorsal side of the caudal keel.